I like making lists, but it feels odd to just say, for example, that both Lawrence of Arabia and Duck Soup are favorite films, because I have to be in the right frame of mind for each. And it would be absurd to try and rank them. Lawrence is a great film, but it doesn’t work very well if you’re in the mood for a musical comedy, and Duck Soup fails as an exploration of a complex individual’s psychology. So, I’ve tried to categorize these films not by genre so much as by what “vibe” I need to want in order to watch them.
To be eligible for the list, I have to have seen a film at least twice, and be willing to watch it a third time. There are plenty of films I’ve enjoyed on seeing once and might watch again, but those don’t make the cut for now.
Just Fun
- Thor
- The Mummy (1999)
- Bandidas
- Ghost in the Shell
- Jurassic Park
- Last Action Hero
When I Want To Think
- Lawrence of Arabia
- The English Patient
I Want It Darker
- Chinatown
Scare Me
- The Omen (1976)
- The Terminator
- The Haunting (1963)
- The Mothman Prophecies
Musical Comedy
- Duck Soup
- Muppet Treasure Island
Movies That Are Terrible But I Enjoy Them Anyway
- Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
- Diamonds Are Forever
Star Wars Movies (Possibly some should be in the preceding category.)
- All the original 6 Star Wars movies, but not the Disney ones.
I Only Like Medieval/Fantasy Movies That Are Funny
- The Lion in Winter
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- The Princess Bride
My Favorite Movie
- Jane Got a Gun